Self-cleaning sink/wash basin

ABSTRACT

A self-cleaning sink having a multitude of spray nozzles ( 8 ), plumbed into an internal water jacket ( 6 ), source water from the user activated tap water source ( 24 ). The water is directed through the internal water jacket ( 6 ) and into the spray nozzles ( 8 ). The spray nozzles ( 8 ) then spray the water at a downward angle into the sink therefore cleaning its interior.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

Not Applicable

SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION—FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates to sinks and wash-basins, specifically to the self-cleaning function of a sink.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION—PRIOR ART

Sinks are commonly available containing only a drain, drain plug, and holes for the mounting of faucets and other external accessories. These sinks become soiled when used for such activities as shaving, brushing teeth, peeling vegetables, and so on. Many times after use the sink must be wiped clean with a washcloth, paper towel, or sometimes simply by using one's hand. This is undesirable as it creates more dirty laundry, trash, and is rather unpleasant to clean by hand. Previously, inventors created several faucet designs with spray attachments that provided cleaning action (U.S. Pat. No. 6,738,996 Malek). These faucets are expensive to manufacture, complex in nature, and often develop leaks in the moving parts or flexible couplings. Faucets of this design are also not desirable in restrooms and business applications due to their complex nature. The faucet must also first be detached from its base, a diverter switch engaged, and then moved by hand to clean the sink. One inventor developed a sink with an electric pump (U.S. Pat. No. 6,289,530 Miller) and jets that re-circulated the water in the sink to provide a cleaning action. This only functioned once the basin was sufficiently filled with water. It was designed only to clean what items were placed into the sink's interior. Once emptied the sink would have the same problem that every sink has, it will still be soiled and require to be cleaned by hand using a rag, cloth, or spray from a faucet. Another inventor developed a sink with integrated valve controls and sprayed water from apertures incorporated within the sink, (U.S. Pat. No. 4,231,123 Cheng). This method of construction was designed to eliminate the faucet alternatively incorporating the faucet's function within the sink itself. My invention describes an alternative method of construction or modification, which retains the users faucet and allows the user to clean the sink as desired nearly hands free.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION—OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES

The present invention relates to self-cleaning sinks used in kitchen, bathroom, utility, and commercial applications. Various types and styles of sinks have achieved widespread application in residential and commercial markets. A common problem is the mess left in the sink, for example, after someone peels vegetables, shaves, or brushes their teeth. Often the faucet doesn't move or provide a sufficient spray pattern to clean the entire sink, so one must splash water with their hand, wipe the sink clean with a cloth or paper towel, or like most of us, leave it to annoy the next person. My self-cleaning sink provides a cleaning effect through the use of water sprayed from the upper rim of the sink. Other objects and further scope of applicability of the present invention will become apparent front the detailed description to follow.

SUMMARY

In accordance with the present invention, a self-cleaning sink comprises a series of spray apertures plumbed into an internal water jacket. The water jacket, in turn, is supplied water from the user activated water source.

DRAWINGS—FIGURES

Due to the sink's size and scale compared to it's additional features, details of the spray nozzle, water jacket, water groove, and apertures are shown in separate close-up views only for clarity.

FIGS. 1A to 1B show a top and section view of the sink. Only one spray nozzle is shown for clarity.

Figs 1C to 1D show details of the spray nozzle in side and top views.

FIG. 1E shows the installation details of the spray nozzle.

FIGS. 2A-2B show a continuous water groove formed into the sink's interior.

FIG. 2C shows a close-up sectioned view of the water groove.

FIGS. 3A to 3B show a similar construction of FIG. 1 with apertures formed directly into the sink's body.

FIG. 3C shows a close-up sectioned view of the water jacket and aperture.

FIGS. 4A to 4B show a hollow ring with apertures installed on the upper edge of the sink's interior.

FIGS. 4C to 4D show a top view and section view of the hollow ring.

FIG. 4E shows a close up sectioned view of the hollow ring.

DRAWINGS—REFERENCE NUMERALS

5 Sink body 6 Internal water jacket

8 Spray nozzle 10 Spray nozzle, water supply port 12 Spray nozzle body 14 Spray nozzle head 16 Spray nozzle aperture 18 Water groove 20 Spray aperture 22 Hollow ring 24 Water source (conventional, not shown)

DETAILED DESCRIPTION—FIGS 1A to 1E—PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

A sink's body (5) is modified with an addition of spray nozzles (8) installed around the upper periphery as shown in figs 1A-1B. A quantity of 35 spray nozzles (8), are installed into the sink's body (5) with 32 mm spacing between them on center. The spray nozzles (8) shown in FIGS. 1C-1D are made of brass and consist of a 8 mm diameter—25 mm long spray nozzle body (12), 11.1 mm diameter—4.76 mm long spray nozzle head (14), and a 3.2 mm spray nozzle water supply port (10). This spray nozzle water supply port (10) is drilled the length of the spray nozzle (8), but ends before going through the spray nozzle head (14). The spray nozzle head (14) is drilled with a 1.2 mm spray nozzle aperture (16). The spray nozzle aperture (16) is drilled at a right angle to the 3.2 mm spray nozzle water supply port (10) and in the center of the spray nozzle head (14). The spray nozzle head (14) is also chamfered at the end to prevent personal injury and snagging. The spray nozzles (8) are installed into the sink's body (5) with the 1.2 mm spray nozzle aperture (16) facing 15 degrees downward from the horizontal position as shown in FIG. 1E. The spray nozzle water supply port (10) extends into the sink body (5) into a 12.7 mm diameter internal water jacket (6) molded into the sink body (5). This internal water jacket (6) travels the circumference of the sink's body (5) 25.4 mm on center from its upper rim. The internal water jacket (6) is plumbed to the water source (24).

OPERATION—PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The manner of using the self-cleaning sink is simple. One activates the water source. This allows water to flow under pressure into the water jacket and through the spray nozzle apertures. The spray nozzle apertures spray the sink clean and wash unwanted mess down the drain.

ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENTS

There are various possibilities regarding the delivery of water into the sink. FIGS. 2A-2C show a continuous groove (18) traveling the circumference of the sinks body (5). FIGS. 3A-3C show a series of spray apertures (20), formed directly into the sink body (5). FIGS. 4A-4D show a hollow ring (22) attached to the sinks body (5). This hollow ring (22) includes a series of spray apertures (20) and is plumbed to the water source (24).

ADVANTAGES

From the description above, a number of advantages of my self-cleaning sink become evident:

(a) The sink will wash itself of mess without needing to be wiped or scrubbed clean.

(b) The activation of the cleaning action can be via a knob, button, foot pedal, or even an electronic “eye” once the user steps away from the sink.

(c) The cleaning action of the sink uses only water. This eliminates the use of harsh environmentally unfriendly cleaners typically used to clean sinks.

(d) The amount of water required to clean the sink is substantially less compared to other methods.

(e) The water is sourced from the sink's water source, and can be connected to flow hot water, cold water, or a mix of both.

(f) The cleaning action is quite powerful and can be used in conjunction with a garbage disposal to wash away larger debris such as vegetable peelings.

Conclusion, Ramifications, and Scope

Although the description above contains many specifications, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention, but as merely providing descriptions and information of the preferred embodiment. For example the production model may have the spray nozzles completely molded into the wash basin's casting, there may be no spray nozzles at all but instead water flowing from a continuous slot in the wash basin. The nozzles or apertures may swivel or rotate allowing adjustment as the user desires, and may be mounted on top of the sink's body or beside it. The spray nozzles and water jacket may alternately be replaced by multiple tubular units incorporated into the sink body. The sink's body and spray nozzles may be made of alternate materials, for example: stainless steel, ceramic, plastic, porcelain, or aluminum. The sink may have hoses or tubes supplying water to each aperture. The spray apertures can be shaped in a round, square, oval, or rectangular pattern. This invention can also be applied to sinks of all shapes and sizes with proper positioning of the spray nozzles or apertures.

Thus the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, rather than by examples given. 

1. A self-cleaning sink having means of water delivery into said interior.
 2. The self-cleaning sink of claim 1, wherein spray nozzles are installed there-into.
 3. The self-cleaning sink of claim 1, whereto a hollow ring including spray apertures is attached.
 4. The self-cleaning sink of claim 1, wherein a single continuous aperture is formed.
 5. The self-cleaning sink of claim 1, wherein spray apertures are formed.
 6. A self-cleaning sink incorporating means of water delivery into said interior.
 7. A self-cleaning sink having a plurality of apertures for inducing tap water into said interior.
 8. A self cleaning sink comprising: (a) A sink having a water supply inlet, internal water jacket, and spray nozzles for inducing water into said interior.
 9. A self-cleaning sink having at least: (a) A user-activated water supply. (b) An internal water jacket (c) A plurality of apertures formed at the upper circumference of the sink such that water is induced at a downward angle.
 10. A method of cleaning a sink comprising: (a) providing a water supply source into the internal water jacket, (b) thereby providing water pressure to the spray apertures, whereby said spray apertures induce a flow of water down the interior of the sink body providing a cleaning effect. 